Banning Ranch preservation presentation Thursday

2014-03-19 09:47:16

The Banning Ranch Conservancy has scheduled a town hall meeting Thursday on the history of the swath of coastal land and the group’s efforts to protect it from development.

Banning Ranch, about 400 acres of open space and oil fields, sits at the mouth of the Santa Ana River. For 15 years, Banning Ranch Conservancy has battled to preserve it. About two years ago, the Newport Beach City Council gave approval to the owner, who is also a developer, to build 1,375 homes and a hotel.

Terry Welsh, Banning Ranch Conservancy president, expects the town hall to be the conservancy’s largest gathering in 10 years. He said speakers will talk about wildlife, federally protected species, and American Indian settlements on the land.

Asked about the city’s approval of the development, he said preservation is a marathon, not a sprint.

“These are monster efforts. Look at Bolsa Chica,” he said. “Behind every space there’s a very determined and organized community effort.”

Welsh said the group has a $5 million pledge toward the land’s potential $20 million to $40 million price tag and are hoping to secure county funds.

The owner has plans to set aside at least 235 acres as dedicated open space and to clean up the oil wells, said Robyn Vettraino, executive director of Newport Banning Land Trust.

The development still requires California Coastal Commission approval.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Victoria Room at the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center at 1845 Park Avenue. Information: info@banningranchconservancy.org.